226 THE LIFE OP 



tion, if I was difpofcd to let him pafs unpu-^ 

 nifhed, he 'Would not. 



In the courfe of a few minutes, and while I 

 was yet glowing with feelings much eafier to be 

 imagined than defcribed, I faw Prater walking 

 with Mr. Murchifon, the IViate, in the ftreet. 

 Smitten with confcious guilt, he ficd, and at- 

 tempted to hide himfelf in the houfe of a 

 burgher; I followed, and, having reached him, 

 faid, that, though I felt more afhamed than 

 proud of drawing my fword againfl him, ftill 

 the wanton flanders he had uttered had placed 

 me in fuch a fituation, in a ftrange country, as 

 reduced me to the neccflity of vindicating my- 

 fclf with the arms of a foldier; he had there- 

 fore no remedy, no hope, but in a manly de* 

 fence. He flood hefitating, and I was tempted 

 to haHicn him by a hearty kick, but in vain ; I 

 told him, that, after having abufed me in the 

 manner he had done, he could not hope to 

 fcreen himfcIf behind his want of courage; llill 

 he refufed to drav/. My fword was already in 

 my hand, and my point direifted to his bofom, 

 when Mr. Murchifon, the Mate, (who, together 

 with the Steward, into whofc quarters he had 

 fled, and was prefent at the whole affair,) feized 

 my arm ; and, perhaps, prevented me from do- 

 ing that, in a paroxyfm of paffion, which might 

 have em.bitiered every cool moment of my fu- 

 ture 



